375G Stand Requirements

psykldoc · Dec 2, 2015

Hi Folks, I've been reefing for close to 15 yrs (mostly with a 75G w 55G fuge) and lurking on this site since I dunno when, but this may be my first post. I've acquired a 375 gal 8' X 30" X 30" glass aquarium which I plan to set up as a reef, but need to build a suitable stand for it, as the one it came with seems woefully inadequate for the weight. I was just wondering if there might be anyone out there who could tell me what it'll take to support this beast?! I'm planning to use wood, like maybe 4X4's for support, and 2X6's for the platform. I'm handy enough, and tend to over-engineer things a bit, so I'm usually fine, but I feel a bit out of my league when it comes to something of this weight. I suppose folks might like to see the evolution of the thing, so I promise to figure out how to post photos, and give y'all a spectator's seat on this whole adventure...

Kengar · Dec 2, 2015

You might not get people answering for fear of setting themselves up for a claim against them if things fail. Alternatively, on something like this, I wouldn't take advice with no idea as to the credentials of the person giving it. If I were you, I would contact a structural engineer (e.g., someone who does home remodel engineering?) or just pay for a tank made be one of the companies that do this day in and day out. Given the size and weight you're talking about, it would give you peace of mind -- something I would think would be well worth the extra price. (This is why I had Miracles do my stand for 7 x 28 x 24 250-gallon system I'm currently having built by RS, i.e., get it done right)

Windy · Dec 3, 2015

Why would you expect your tank to be high quality if you bought it from a company that sold you an unusable stand? Something doesn't make sense here. Could you post a picture or two of the unusable stand and why it won't work. That will also tell the rest of us what your goals are for the new stand.

Kengar · Dec 3, 2015

I've seen concerns raised over the stock/"matching" stands for Marineland DD tanks. Tanks seem to be nice quality; stands seem to be bare minimum.

Pepcrylic · Dec 3, 2015

Depends on how handy you are in the wood shop. You could build the stand out of 3/4'' plywood. Designed correctly the 3/4'' would hold the weight.
I also know that 2x4's will also be over kill( if designed properly )
I put my 310 on a steel stand even though I have been a wood worker for over 25 years. More support with less material.

LiveWire · Dec 7, 2015

I built my stand for my 180 with 6 4x4's as well as 2x4's running the length of the stand in all directions fastened to the 4x4's My stand could most likely hold a small elephant as I went a bit overkill on it. Its all in how you spread the weight out along the stand. My 4x4's are on the corners and in the middle with the 2x4's holding everything together running left to right and front to back. All posts are running to the floor also without sitting on another board. I screwed everything with deck screws (they wont rust). This was my 3rd or 4th stand build. It takes a little planning and you have to know what you are doing but I would take my custom built stand over any of the cheaply built commercially available ones on the market. Keep in mind that most of the tank manufactures wont warranty a tank that is placed on a custom built stand because they want to make sure that the stand is structurally sound and don't know if you are a carpenter or handyman. My tank was no longer under warranty so it was not an issue for me. Although If it was I still believe that I would have set it on one that I built anyway. Just my 2 cents

Windy · Dec 7, 2015

I would approach the design this way. Many use 2 x 4 designs for stands and they are quite simple. Think what you would need for a 4' x 30" x 30" 190 gal tank. There are many examples. Then just imagine butting two of them together. You might even want something that big to be in sections.